Allow access to packages installed in the base interpreter.
Section: Create environments
Create with system site packages
bash
bash
python -m venv --system-site-packages .venvExplanation
By default, venv environments are isolated. This option intentionally relaxes that isolation.
Learn the surrounding workflow
Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.
Related commands
Same sheet · prioritizing Create environments
Create a .venv environment
Create a conventional project-local virtual environment.
Create with python3
Use python3 explicitly on systems where python points elsewhere.
Create with Windows py launcher
Create an environment using the Windows Python launcher.
Create with a specific Python version
Use a specific interpreter to choose the base Python version.
Create in a custom directory
Create a venv anywhere, not just in the project root.